Students Return To School 'Happy, Energized' In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Students at New Canaan Public Schools were "happy and energized" as they returned for their first day of classes Monday morning.

Board of Education Chair Katrina Parkhill referred to Monday as "a great first day of school" and said board members were glad to see students in such a good mood as the new school year kicked off.

"We have enjoyed seeing photos of happy, energized students entering our buildings and excited to be back together again in their classrooms as we begin a new year," Parkhill said in an email to Patch. "We wish all our students, teachers and staff a wonderful school year."

Police Lt. Jason Ferraro said officers did not encounter any issues with speeding or traffic safety as students returned to school Monday.

On Sunday, the department posted a video to its Facebook page in which officers Jeffrey Deak and Matthew Blank, school resource officers for New Canaan High School and Saxe Middle School respectively, welcomed students back for "another wonderful, happy and healthy school year."

They also reminded families to be extra cautious while driving around school areas in town during drop off and pick up times.

"Looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces on Monday," Deak said in the video.

The department also provided a list of back to school safety tips to keep in mind while driving in town with children and school buses around:

1. Watch your speed in school zones! Be aware that school zone speed limits may vary in hours and speeds. Be sure to follow the posted limits.

2. Slow down in residential areas. Watch for children crossing the street and congregating near bus stops.

3. Do not pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Traffic in both directions on undivided highways must stop when students are entering or exiting a school bus (the red flashing lights and extended stop sign arms are your cue to stop). On a divided roadway, all traffic behind the school bus must stop.

4. Be alert! The area 10 feet around a school bus is where children are in the most danger of being hit. Children walking to and from their bus are usually very comfortable with their surroundings and more likely to take risks, ignore hazards, or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.

5. Always stop when directed to do so by a school patrol sign, school patrol officer, or designated crossing guard.

Patch has reached out to New Canaan Public Schools for more information.